Shania Twain at Lytham Green: A real party atmosphere, a carnival of hits, great performances and
a star with a very human touch.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

SHANIA TWAIN PERFORMING AT LYTHAM FESTIVAL 2024
PHOTOCREDIT: TREV EALES

Australian singer songwriter Delta Goodrem kicks off this evening, opening with the bouncy, euphoric Back To Your Heart. A couple of tracks in pace slows for Lost Without You. It sees the singer at her piano for a classic pop / rock ballad and showcases her versatility. Most of tonight's set are self penned but she also throws in an energetic cover of The Pointer Sister's I'm So Excited before closing with Hearts On The Run; more euphoric pop with a very 1980's sound.

In our insular UK centric music scene we're often blinkered, failing to grasp how successful acts are elsewhere. Delta Goodrum has been, and still is a huge star in Australia. Watching her 40 minute set tonight, it's no surprise. I'm struck by just how talented she is. Superb voice, equally at home with upbeat, energetic pop and tender ballads, with a great stage presence too.

Watching Rag'n'Bone Man 5 years ago it was impossible not to be impressed by his voice. He also had a couple of special songs in Skin and Human, but much of the rest of his set struck me as filler. Tonight, there's much more in his armoury. Skin comes early and Anywhere Away From Here has real soulful gravitas. His Calvin Harris collaboration, Lovers In A Past Life inevitably comes with dance friendly beats, bringing a welcome change of mood and pace. There's time for a couple of new songs too, with Rush Of Blood sounding particularly impressive. Of course he brings things to a close with a monumental double hit of Human followed by Giant. Musically it's a powerful performance but what really shines through is the guy's earthy easy going personality and humility.

As the sun goes down and the air chills, Shania Twain bounds on stage seemingly brimming with energy. First track, Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You) emphasises the mood; dance fuelled country with fiddles to the fore. Pausing for breath she apologises, she's been running late and didn't have time to dress. So here she is, dressed in black underwear and a fluorescent orange puffa jacket.

Ain't Going Down slows things a little; a classic country tale about overcoming adversity. As the show rolls on I'm Gonna Get You Good hits us with an irresistible chorus before she grabs a stool and acoustic guitar for You're Still The One. It heralds the first mass sing along of the night with thousands of arms and cowboy hats swaying in the air.

Back in country mode, she introduces Any Man Of Mine as “Stomp, stomp, clap country,” with twin fiddles taking the lead. She's not done with country yet, labelling Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under as, “A real shit kicker.” Recent track Giddy Up maintains the country theme and there's even a brief dose of on stage line dancing.

Honey I'm Home mixes country, rock and pop sensibilities but amid all the choreographed brilliance Shania's about to get very personal. Bringing fans on stage to sing, play guitar or whatever is nothing new but tonight is something special. Someone's told Shania about a local superfan. Is he here? His friends yell and holler to point him out in the crowd and she wants him to come on stage. He's not the fastest mover, taking two songs to get there. But eventually here he is; Ken Northall. Of course he's wearing his cowboy hat but the ensuing conversation between he and Shania is beyond touching.

So meet Ken; he's travelled the world to watch her, he can't sing, he can't dance and he's overawed to meet her. He lives 10 minutes away, he's come on a bus and he's 81 years old. Her embrace before he leaves is heartfelt and as he turns to go she even runs across the stage to give him one last hug.

How do you follow that? Well you play That Don't Impress Me Much. Great chorus, great guitar lines and every woman on Lytham Green's waving their cowboy hats in the air. But here's the catch; she cuts “Brad Pitt, you don't impress me much” from the lyrics. Replacing him with “Ken, you do impress me much.”

Party For Two has a similar groove but by now this is a party for over 20,000. Up next, Rock This Country does exactly what it says with duelling guitar and fiddles. Of course we all know where this is headed. So yes, the irresistible ode to female empowerment brings the set to a close. Man, I Feel Like A Woman echoes around Lytham Green as thousands of voices bring this triumphant gig home.

Tonight, Shania Twain's delivered a brilliant performance with hit after hit delivered by her superb band. But tonight has been about more than musical excellence and taking the money. The beaming faces of her musicians show just how much they're enjoying themselves as Shania cavorts around them. As for Shania, she's proved herself not just a great performer but a star with a very human touch.